Summary

Contact Info

65th Street Preschool Cooperative
6512 23rd Avenue NW Suite 119
Seattle , WA 98117
www.65thstreetcoop.com

Tel: (206) 789-2341

Director: Sue Schoolcraft
sdschool@comcast.net

Admissions Director:
Jessica Walker

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Application Information

Applications accepted

While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

Wait list

Yes

Deadline for applications

Rolling

Key Statistics

Extended day

No

School year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Parent Ratings

Parents at this school would recommend this school to other parents.

Quality of teaching

Development of social skills and work habits

Home-school connection

Parent community

Discipline

Facilities

Health

Safety

Handling of separation

Survey Information

Number of parents surveyed: 12

Director survey: Yes

Savvy Source survey: Yes

General Info

Basic Stats

Established

2001

% of teachers with:

- Bachelors

100%

- Teaching credentials

100%

- CPR

100%

- First aid

100%

Transportation and Drop-off Policies

Transportation

- Parents bring their children to and from school

- Located close to public transportation

Dropoff Procedure

- Parents walk their child into the classroom

Late Pickup Policy: We expect parents to be on time, and if not, to call the school.

Features of the Preschool

Provide a third year	Yes
• No, these students are in what is called the 3-5s class. But, they will go 4 days along with the 4 years olds (3 yr olds go 3 days).

Provide a kindergarten and elementary school program

No

Affiliated with a religious institution

No

Some experience serving children with special needs	Yes
• As we always have parents in the classroom, we can accomodate special needs.

Accreditation, Membership & Awards

Accreditation by the National Association of Young Children

No

Other Memberships

WA Asso. of Young Children

Facilities

CONDITION OF FACILITIES RATING (3.3)

Building, bathrooms, hallway

Classroom equipment and furniture

Outside play equipment

Facilities Include:

Classrooms (with bathroom attached)

Classrooms (with kitchenette attached)

Music room

Art room

Library

Playground

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The year I started, I was a bit confused, but since then we have been better about matching parents up so that they feel more comfortable joining the school.

Parent #2
Strenghts of this school are parents involvement and community, teachers we have are great, we now have an excellent parent ed teacher, my child has made great friends there. Weaknesses are that because parent run, it can create challenges when evaluating teachers or parent ed instructors that haven't worked-people try to be too nice in their assessments but complain about what isn't working

Parent #3
The community developed is the biggest reason for enjoyment of the school. I have an incredible network of support from other families. It requires a lot of time and committment which if you work full time is too challenging. We are required to fundraise, participate in the classroom, work duties and cleaning obligations, as well as have a job in the class group.

Parent #4
Community aspect is priority.

School Philosophy & Day in the Life

School Philosophy and Mission

This mission of the 65th Street Preschool is to provide a structured cooperative preschool program designed to encourage the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of young children. It is also intended to provide a nucleus of support for participating families.

Typical Day-In-The-Life At This School

Depends on age of the child but generally starts with circle time of appropriate length followed by:
-free play
-snack
-gross motor skill free play
-closing circle

Curriculum & Teaching Approach

General Approach to Learning

Play-based

Play-based with some structure

Predominantly teacher-led instruction

Montessori

Waldorf

Co-op

Reggio-Emilia

Social Skills & Work Habits

OVERALL RATING (4.1)

This school has increased my child's:

Ability to listen and follow directions

Ability to sit still for longer periods of time

Ability to be a part of a group of children

Self-sufficiency and independence

Awareness of others’ feelings

Cooperation with other children

Curriculum and Teaching Approach


Language					YES
Oral language	-	-	-	-	n/a
Nursery rhymes, poems, songs	-	-	-	-	n/a
Storybook reading	-	-	-	-	n/a
Emerging literacy skills	-	-	-	-	n/a

Cognitive Development					n/a
Math and number sense	-	-	-	-	YES
Time & space	-	-	-	-	YES
Sci. reasoning/physical world	-	-	-	-	YES
Music	-	-	-	-	YES

Visual arts	-	-	-	-	YES
Physical activity	-	-	-	-	YES

Other subjects taught					n/a

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
My child is only 2 years old (2nd year in the co-op), our co-op having 4-5 years of class before kindergarten, so many of these questions are not particularly age appropriate.

Parent #2
play based curriculum, but my oldest child was more kindergarten ready than any of the kids in her kindergarten class because of her preschool experience at 65thpc

Quality of Teaching

Teachers Are:

OVERALL RATING: (4.1)

Full of energy and seemingly happy in job

Patient and affectionate with children

Talks with children and listens carefully when they are talking with him/her

Praises children for accomplishments and good behavior

Provides feedback on what my child does during the day

Shares insights on my child that are helpful and accurate

Identifies my child’s strengths and weaknesses

If necessary, provides additional support to my child during pickup and drop-off

Resolves disputes quickly, calmly and fairly in a manner that allows children to learn from the dispute

Notices children who are not on task and/or engaging with other children appropriately and quickly reengages them

Manages the energy level of the children so that all children feel safe and able to learn

Provides additional support to a child when s/he is clearly failing in her/his efforts

Strikes the proper balance between active and quiet play for children

Home School Connection

Home-School Connection

OVERALL RATING (3.1)

Conducts an open house at start of school year

Conducts a parent-teacher meeting at start of school year

Conducts regular parent teacher conferences

Provides summary of child’s learning at end of year

Provides guidance on developmental goals for the following year

Provides guidance on best Kindergarten and elementary schools

Savvy Source's Comments

We have a staff parent educator who attends class several times per month and leads evening lectures open to all preschool parents. Parents, as they are in class, see activities to do at home such as songs, dancing, games and art activities. Parents, teachers and the parent educator are in touch regarding parent concerns about their children.

Separation

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Director's and Parents' Comments

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Co-op environment with parent participation in the classroom mandatory. Younger classes, parents attend with child for entire class (1.5-2 hours) in older classes, parents work in classroom at least one day per week.

Parent #2
As it is a co-op, parent participation is expected and required in the classroom. The first two classes, Infants and Toddler's parents come for the class one day per week. In the Two's and Threes-Fives classes, parents are expected to come one day per week - two's attend two days, threes-fives attend 3-4 days per week.

Parent #3
It's a co-op with parents in the classroom every day so the questions above don't really fit.

Parent #4
I have only been involved in the infants and toddler classes. Therefore, I have never left my daughter so some of the questions really are not applicable.

Parent #5
this school was great for young children and for new parents. I think that the coop model with young children is wonderful for continuing on with a PEPS like atmosphere. we left when my son was three, so we did not have the true educational experience which I'm sure is fine for 4-5 yos.

Parent #6
We do not have official 'parent-teacher conferences' but that is because, as a co-op, our teachers are always readily available to us in the classroom, at meetings, or individually to discuss our child's development at any time. Additionally, we have a wonderful parent education coordinator who regularly observes in the classroom and is available for any consultation we might need.

Parent Community

COHESIVENESS RATING (4.3)

Parents:

- Sit on the board of trustees

- Hold social events at the school to build community

- Fundraise

- Are able to visit the school anytime we want

- Go on field trips

- Volunteer in the classroom

- Receive newsletters

- Hold social events outside of the school (with and/or without children)

- Schedule family field trips

- Pair "old" parents with "new" parents

- Encourage play dates out of school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
Are required to hold an in-class job and attend with our child at least one day per week.

Parent #2
Work in the preschool ourselves

Modes of Communication Between School and Home

- Notes

- Phone Calls

- Voice Mail

- Email

- Special Meetings

- Two or More Regular Conferences

- Drop-Off

- Pick-Up

- Regular newsletter/printed updates circulated to the whole school

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
We're in class with the teachers so we have full access to them all of the time

Parent #2
There was no specific method for the first year and the teacher did not have email. After that,communication was limited about individual children. thi.

Parent #3
Since is a co-op, can speak with teacher directly during class time as well - easiest and most used option of all!

Parent #4
In class

Discipline, Health and Safety

Discipline

OVERALL RATING (4.1)
Parents' Opinions
Parents at this school, on average, believe that conflicts between children: are handled extraordinarily well in a way that not only gives me confidence in the safety of my child but also reassures me that my child (and his/her peers) are learning the early skills needed to socialize effectively with one another

Parents' Notes on Discipline, Health and Safety

Parents' Comments

Parent #1
The outside play area is very small and only contains a sandbox, concrete, and woodchips. It's adjacent to the the building and is a long, skinny strip. The gym and indoor classroom spaces are GREAT and there are plety of toys to play with in all areas.

Health

OVERALL RATING (4.3)

Temperature and overall air circulation is comfortable

Healthy and nutritious snacks are provided

Toys and furniture are cleaned regularly

Food Allergies

- We do not allow certain foods in the classroom

- We ask parents to provide child-safe snacks for their allergic child

Medications

- NA

Safety

OVERALL RATING (3.8)

Screen and identify all visitors

Parents may not bring sick children to school where they may infect others

Ages, Schedule & Tuition

Ages, Class Size, Days & Tuition

Ages	Class Size	Days	Tuition
From 3 years to 5 years		Tue 11:30am - 2:30pm Wed 11:30am - 2:30pm Thu 11:30am - 2:30pm Fri 11:30am - 2:30pm	$135/Month
From 2 years to 3 years	16	Tue 9am - 11am Wed 9am - 11am	$80/Month
From 1 years to 2 years	16	Mon 9:30am - 11:30am	$57/Month
From to 1 years	14	Mon 12pm - 1:30pm	$52/Month

Extended Care

- This school does not have extended care

Calendar Year

School Year

09/2008 - 06/2009

Application & Admissions

Application Process

Applications are accepted: While child is in utero, upon birth, after a phone conversation with the appropriate person at the school

There is a wait list for upcoming school year. • They can reach our parent coordinator if they have questions. Once a spot opens up, we contact whomever is next in line, depending on gender and gender required to keep a at least a 60/40 balance.

Parent visits tours are: Not necessary

Child interview process: None

Parent interview process: Admissions Director-parent

Deadline for applications: Rolling

Application fee: $50

Admissions Process

Acceptance criteria: Selective based on wait list priority weighted by sibling enrolled or previously enrolled, neighborhood, date of first contact, etc.

Notification occurs: Rolling

Parents must submit deposit within the following timeframe of receiving notification of acceptance: 3 days

Financial aid is available.

Age/Child Requirements

Child does not need to be potty trained to enroll.

Director's views on diversity:
Represents the community of Ballard

Kindergarten Placement & Tips

Kindergarten Placement

Kindergartens that preschoolers from this school are now attending

Director and Parents have not yet submitted this information to the Savvy Source.

Parents' Admission Tips

Advice from Parents to Prospective Parents on Admissions

Parent #1
No formal admissions process - wait-list based

Parent #2
Got on the list EARLY. There is a significant waitlist so start early, even if you're not sure you want your child to go there.

Parent #3
not required, just signed up early

Parent #4
no

Parent #5
Contacted the school to be placed on the waiting list during pregnancy.